The very final iterations of Microsoft’s Office 2013, along with the new Office server editions like SharePoint Server 2013, Exchange Server 2013, Lync Server 2013 are now available to TechNet and MSDN subscribers.
Microsoft RTM’d the final editions of Office 2013, server and services back on on October 11th, and it was at the time predicted volume licensees and TechNet / MSDN subscribers would be able to get hold of the final bits and pieces by the middle of next month. That estimate looks to have been offered with a great dose of caution, though, and like much of Microsoft’s software recently, the release has come earlier than anticipated, with some TechNet/MSDN subscribers already having downloaded the RTM versions of the upcoming office tools.
There’s not yet any news regarding whether volume licensees also can get their hands on the RTM bits, but if Microsoft confirms this one way or the other, we’ll be sure to update the post accordingly.
Meanwhile, Office Home & Student RT 2013 will be packed onto every Windows RT-based device as standard – including the keenly-awaited Microsoft Surface RT.
Aside from Windows itself, Office is easily Microsoft’s most important software outlet, and although some of its once-dominant products – Internet Explorer, for example – have lost out somewhat to rivals, the Office suite remains a firm favorite among productive consumers.
Although Office will be shipping after tomorrow’s release of Windows 8, a large portion of customers will be waiting anxiously for Office 2013 to finally release. Given how the Redmond company is making a habit of releasing everything a head of schedule, don’t be surprised if an impromptu announcement arrives sooner than anticipated.
As somebody who’ll be using Windows 8 from the get-go, I’d have to say Office 2013 is the app I’m most looking forward to – from Microsoft or otherwise. As the most popular choice, it naturally draws in quite a bit of flak, but having used many of the alternatives – iWork and OpenOffice, to name a few – I’d say Microsoft’s offering is still atop the pile.
Sources:
Office 2013 for MSDN subscribers
Office 2013 for TechNet subscribers
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